Need A Good Divorce Attorney in Utah?

We Provide Affordable, Compassionate, Divorce Attorney Services.

“We’re Dedicated to Helping Remove the Fear Associated with Getting Divorced, by Protecting Your Finances and Maximizing the Time with Your Kids.”

Marco Brown
Managing Partner
Brown Family Law

Call Us For A Divorce Consultation: 801-685-9999

Call Us For A Divorce Consultation: 801-685-9999

Divorce
Child Custody
child support
property division
Debt & Divorce
alimony
mediation
retirement
modification
paternity
domestic violence
enforcing court orders

Divorce Attorney Utah

We are divorce and child custody attorneys in Salt Lake City, and our law office serves clients throughout the entire state of Utah. Our team of family law attorneys are committed to providing outstanding service with legal matters involving all aspects of family law.

When you need a family law firm that you can trust, we hope you will choose us to help guide you through your situation.

What Clients Are Saying…
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Brown Family Law
4.8
Based on 748 reviews
Anne-Greyson did a wonderful job in helping me with all my needs. She was always supportive and understanding no matter what the issue was.... Additionally she has been making an extra effort in researching and helping me find answers to complex questions. She acceded my expectations by going above and beyond, always trying to figure out the best solution to unexpected situations. I would highly recommend Anne, not only for her expertise in her field but also for her engaging and loving personality making it easier to feel supported and heard especially during a difficult time. Thank you Anne and the whole Brown Family Law Team for being so amazing and helpful!read more
I am grateful for the services that Clay Randle and his law clerk provided. The given communication, representation and work ethic is... creditable.read more
Jessica Peters
Jessica Peters
1710287478
I had an extremely pleasant experience working with Kent. He was able to help guide me through some difficult legal situations and and... fully answer my questions. Kent was funny, professional, and highly personable. Strong ethics, and very smart, exactly what I wanted in my attorney. If I need any further advice, he will be my first call.read more
Jared Johnstun
Jared Johnstun
1710200265
Anne Greyson-Long was very caring and compassionate about my marital problems and was actively engaged in insuring that I had a quick and... amicable resolution to my annulment. She is definitely a people person detail oriented who can resolve complex problems. I enjoyed working with her.read more
Doyle Asay
Doyle Asay
1710195469
Brown Family Law was wonderful to work with. They followed through with bi-weekly contacts and answered every question I had. I worked... directly with Andrew Christensen and felt like I was always a priority. I am giving Brown Family Law and Andrew a 5 star review. Thank you!read more
Evelyn Marse
Evelyn Marse
1710019028
Nathaniel is an excellent lawyer and I would definitely recommend working with him!
Andrea Jensen
Andrea Jensen
1709667558
I was represented by Amy Pomeroy in my case for child custody. I feel Amy went above and beyond with every step of my case. She was very... knowledgeable on every aspect and always knew what the next move was. She never failed to keep me updated with what was going on in my case. She was very personable and friendly. I really hope I never go through a custody case again but if I do, I will without a doubt hire Amy again.read more
Hunter Durein
Hunter Durein
1709662478
Nathaniel G. and his team were great. He was very patient and comforting with all my divorce trauma and needs. I went through heartbreak... and an unwanted divorce. He was there to defend me emotionally, financially and legally.read more
Karen Stolman
Karen Stolman
1709607200
Sunshine is great. She helped me out immediately and got me exactly what I needed in the most friendly and professional manner.
Devon Harris
Devon Harris
1709589080
I was very pleased with the service that I received from Paul Waldron and his paralegal, Idania Blandon, at Brown Family Law. Paul was... very considerate of my wishes in dealing with a very difficult situation . I found him to be very knowledgeable, experienced, and professional in. all aspects of my case. I appreciated that he and Idania were very good at returning my calls or responding to me by text or email within a day or two when I expressed concerns. Paul became a trusted individual that I felt truly had my best interest at heart and offered advice in a manner that helped me understand my options and possible outcomes. He was very considerate to answer all of my questions whenever we spoke.I liked the manner in which they did their billing and I received itemized statements each month also. I felt very fortunate to work with this great team of professionals and would highly recommend them to anyone dealing with a divorce.read more
Cindy Lawlor
Cindy Lawlor
1709364569
Divorce is an awful, stressful, and emotional experience, but working with Kent Cottam and his paralegal Dani has taken much of the stress... out of the divorce process and has made the process manageable. Both Dani and Kent have been available and very responsive to my needs. I highly recommend Kent and Dani at Brown Family Law for any and all of your complicated divorce needs.read more
I am so grateful for Anne-Greyson Long and the rest of the attorneys at Brown Family Law. They kept me informed, made the process as easy... as possible, and helped ease my mind throughout. I can’t thank Anne-Greyson enough for her kindness and willingness to get to know me. I felt like it really helped her know my case and had my back all along the way. Thank you thank you thank you! Definitely recommend them!read more
He did a great job. He was communicative and you could tell that he cared.
Anthony Roberts
Anthony Roberts
1709231528
Kent is my absolute go to! Not only did he get me what I wanted he went above and beyond in every step along the way. He made this process... incredibly easy and stress free. He is extremely knowledgeable and will not sugarcoat anything so it was very reassuring to know exactly what i was getting into. I put all my trust into him and boy did he deliver! Worth every penny for sure!! I 100% recommend his services to anyone a million times over!! Thank you so much Kent!read more
Jo E
Jo E
1708989462
Kent was my lawyer! Very professional, patient, and awesome with his words. Super good at translating the lawyer talk and making sure... you’re aware of everything goin on.read more
Kipp Edwards
Kipp Edwards
1708724533
Five stars every step of the way!!!
Robin Simmons
Robin Simmons
1708484724
I’ve had a great experience with this law firm! They are easy to work with and answer all my questions with confidence!
Abby Reyna
Abby Reyna
1708481795
I met with Daniel, he's awesome. I had plenty of concerns and questions and he answered all of them with full knowledge, without... hesitation. I feel very good with my choice.read more
Brown Family Law did an exceptional job handling my case. Daniel Young and Carren were always very professional. During times of stress... Daniel was always understanding of my situation, feelings and frustrations. He’s an excellent problem solver. I was always able to get in touch with him when I needed. If he happened to be busy at that moment Carren was always there to take my call/answer my questions and relay them to Daniel. I was always kept informed with what was happening and what the next steps would be. At times it would get confusing but Daniel and Carren were great at helping me understand and making sure I was comfortable with things moving forward. Both Daniel and Carren consistently checked in with me regarding my case every week and that let me know that I was being taken care of and not just another number. I will recommend Daniel and Carren to anyone who needs legal help. Trust them, they will get the job done!read more
makena Aleman
makena Aleman
1707410832
Amber is amazing, Melanie is a rockstar, and you couldn’t ask for a better support team. They’re worth every penny.
Rose Johnson
Rose Johnson
1707336334
Hello All. My case was a very difficult case. However, I had the best Firm, Brown Family Law, and the best lawyer, Ray Hingson. Ray... worked very hard and would contact me, regularly, with anything important. He respected and understood my views on any issue and, many times, we were on the same page. Ray is all about getting the job done quick and right. Ray consulted with other great lawyers, as they regularly do at this firm. He showed a lot of respect for my family and I; I appreciate that my case and situation was considered carefully.If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have chosen differently with Brown Law and I am so glad Ray took on my case. My case wasn't easy, but the best outcome, given the situation, came through. Thank you.read more
Ryan Astin
Ryan Astin
1707099016
Andrew Christensen, Clay Randle and their team were great to work with. They communicated with me throughout the process and looked out for... my interests. The office staff were also professional, caring and responsive. I highly recommend them for anyone else who finds themselves in need of family law services.read more
Beth Finlinson
Beth Finlinson
1706834334
Daniel Young was very helpful and informative during my consultation
Celeste Topps
Celeste Topps
1706629498
Ray is a phenomenal attorney! He cares, he listens and he fights for what’s right. I wouldn’t want anyone else on my case. I appreciate the... weekly updates from Carren and Ray and know I’m not forgotten or just another case.read more
Shannyn
Shannyn
1706154828
My experience with Dani was awesome. She is very responsive and easy to work with!
Lara Coronel
Lara Coronel
1706154635
I deal with a mental disability, so having someone like Sophia there to help me was a huge help.She answered all my questions and stayed... on the phone to help make sure I understood everything.She really helped make this stressful situation a little easierread more
Roy Bishop
Roy Bishop
1706132589
I have been RIDICULOUSLY IMPRESSED with the level of professionalism, attention to detail, and understanding of family law that Ray at... Brown Family Law has displayed during my case. He is honest, fair, and matter of fact. I feel like he truly cares about me as a person, not just as a client.And I can't say enough about his paralegal Carren. She is always consistent in keeping me in the loop with where my case is at, any documents I need to be aware of, and continually reaches out to see if I need anything. She is ALWAYS on it when it comes to submitting and filing needed paperwork and making sure everything looks as it's supposed to.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this amazing team, should you find yourself in need of a family lawyer.read more
Tyler Germer
Tyler Germer
1706055189
Grateful for an attorney friend who referred me to Brown Family Law. I had the pleasure of working with Daniel Young, attorney, and Carren... Leavitt, paralegal on the team. With the complex dynamics of family law, Daniel and Carren brought peace of mind, proactive communication, and accurate legal guidance. Daniel is understanding, empathetic and proactively advises his clients whilst collaborating well with other professionals in the family system.read more
I work with a family mediator and oversee the scheduling process. When I am in need of information regarding the case or their client,... Brown Law attorneys and staff are always helpful and respond quickly to my requests for information. They are organized and know their cases well which makes working with them seamless.read more
Barbara OBrien
Barbara OBrien
1705448340
They are completely the best people to help with your needs. Very grateful!
I work as a family mediator in Utah and have the pleasure of working with the staff and attorneys at Brown Law on a regular basis. My... experience is that the attorneys are always prepared, have prepared their clients, and know the case details. Most recently I worked with Andrew Christensen and Clay Randall and as usual they were prepared, knew the details of the case and we were able to settle the case at mediation. Successful mediation requires a give and take by both parties; Andrew and Clay were able to assist their client in moving through the process and coming to an agreement they feel good about with terms they agree with instead of a court telling them what to do.read more
Kathy Elton
Kathy Elton
1705433077
They really went above and beyond helping me with no hassle. I would like to give a special thanks to Sierra
I would highly recommend working with Brown Family Law. Kent Cottam was a pleasure to work with and very professional. As a team they were... very responsive, addressed our concerns, and were able to help us come to an agreement on a complicated case.read more
Mark Tarabilda
Mark Tarabilda
1705347376
We are so grateful to Kent Cottam and the team at Brown Family Law! Kent was very responsive, always addressed our concerns, and helped us... to come to an agreement in our custody battle. We always left his office feeling better about things than when we got there.read more
Danielle Wallace, lelani, their paralegals and all of brown family law have been amazing. The bond and trust we grew together these last... couple of months have been amazing a little family it you will. If I could give them more stars I would! Thank you for all that you all have done to help me in my situations and being an amazing team!read more
Brett Graham
Brett Graham
1705094581
Clay was absolutely amazing! Divorce is devastating, and Clay helped me navigate it with dignity and grace. I was married for over 20 years... when my world came crashing down. Clay listened and truly cared. When issues would arise he already had a game plan and was prepared. He helped protect me, and my kids. Clay had my back communicated with me every week and sometimes even more than that. He is an expert and it showed as he dealt with the opposing counsel who had over 3 decades of experience. Clay ran circles around them. Because of Brown Family Law and especially Clay, I was able to focus on me and my kids while he protected my interests and helped me navigate the divorce.read more
Jed Worthington
Jed Worthington
1705092538
I recommend them all the way!! Really quick responding and getting stuff done!
Tikvah Strain
Tikvah Strain
1705091105
Brown Family Law is the absolute best ! Andrew Christensen was our lawyer supervised by R. Clayton Randall they were amazing. We were... especially impressed with the knowledge, empathy, and professionalism provided to us by Mr. Christensen . He handled our complicated case with ease and grace. We are extremely grateful to him and the team at Brown Family Law they are truly worth every penny. I would hands down recommend them to anyone in need of a family law attorney!read more
Daniel was honest and direct. He was able to guide me in my custody concerns. If you were looking for an honest attorney, this is a place... to go.read more
Barbara Seui
Barbara Seui
1704828690
Danielle Wallace is my favorite attorney at this establishment
wolf man
wolf man
1703730264
Amber Mcfee at Brown Family Law was great to work with! She advocated, counseled thoroughly, was authentic and professional, responded... promptly to calls and emails, and supported me in every negotiation situation. I am very thankful Amber was my attorney through this entire ordeal. She doesn’t let anything intimidate her, she’s knowledgeable and ready to stand her ground when needed. She’s great at what she does! Thank you, Amber, for everything!read more
Nobody wants to go through this experience but these people definitely look for your best interest. Anne Greyson is new but she is an... aggressive lawyer and knows how to push. They set you up with an expectation and will try their best to work with you. If you're going through this, hire a lawyer. Go with Anne Greyson.read more
Forrest Hoggard
Forrest Hoggard
1703283429
Nathaniel Garrabrandt was very helpful answering all of my questions. Very professional and personable.
Tanya Higgins
Tanya Higgins
1703199730
Clay Randle is a great attorney who mixes business skills with a fair, compassionate nature. I recommend him highly as a person and as an... attorney.read more
They did a great job. Professional and thorough.
patrick corbett
patrick corbett
1703030072
Kent and Dani are amazing!
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Contact Us Today For A Confidential Case-Evaluation

Call us 24/7 at 801-685-9999 or click here to schedule a time for your legal consultation.

We are here to help you get on with your life!

Utah Divorce FAQs

How We’re Different From Other Utah Family Law Firms

Since 2010, we’ve helped thousands of local families with our time-tested, proven process for guiding people through divorce and child custody matters.

Choosing us to represent you will help to eliminate as much of the stress, strife and other collateral damage that may occur to your family by working with other, less experienced law firms.

  • Peace of Mind: We remove the uncertainty and fear associated with divorce by providing professional, compassionate and affordable family law services.
  • Collaboration and Education: You don’t want an attorney to bark orders at you and not explain what’s going on. Count on us to guide and educate you through the uncertainty and confusion of the legal process. This helps to remove your fear and helps empower you.
  • Constant Communication: Communication between clients and attorneys leads to the best results in divorce. Our proven system is designed to maximize client communication and lead to the ideal results our clients are looking for.

“Our goal is to remove the fear associated with divorce and custody issues – and protect you by helping to maximize your time with your kids and your money, all within 3-6 months.” – Marco Brown

Utah Divorce FAQs

How We’re Different From Other Utah Family Law Firms

Since 2010, we’ve helped thousands of local families with our time-tested, proven process for guiding people through divorce and child custody matters.

Choosing us to represent you will help to eliminate as much of the stress, strife and other collateral damage that may occur to your family by working with other, less experienced law firms.

  • Peace of Mind: We remove the uncertainty and fear associated with divorce by providing professional, compassionate and affordable family law services.
  • Collaboration and Education: You don’t want an attorney to bark orders at you and not explain what’s going on. Count on us to guide and educate you through the uncertainty and confusion of the legal process. This helps to remove your fear and helps empower you.
  • Constant Communication: Communication between clients and attorneys leads to the best results in divorce. Our proven system is designed to maximize client communication and lead to the ideal results our clients are looking for.

“Our goal is to remove the fear associated with divorce and custody issues – and protect you by helping to maximize your time with your kids and your money, all within 3-6 months.” – Marco Brown

Super Lawyers
American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
Utah State Bar
Avvo
Top Divorce Lawyer in Sandy
Avvo Client's Choice
National Academy of Family Law Attorneys
2015 Family Law of the Year
Lead Counsel
Utah Legal Elite
National Advocates Top 40 Under 40
Justia
Top 100 Divorce Blog

Shepherding You Through the Challenge of When the Law Meets a Broken Marriage

Shepherding You Through the Challenge of When the Law Meets a Broken Marriage

No one enters into a marriage thinking it will end in divorce, but unfortunately, divorce happens. If you’re having marital problems and are faced with the reality of a broken marriage, you will need to make some very difficult decisions. One of those decisions may be whether or not to seek legal counsel for a divorce.

Seeking legal representation is not always necessary, but because divorce is a legal-matter, there are some key legal aspects that you should be aware of.

There are specific laws that will govern how your divorce is handled in the state of Utah. Experienced divorce attorneys will be familiar with those laws and rules, as well as the judges and commissioners who interpret those laws and rules, and can help you navigate the divorce process.

No one enters into a marriage thinking it will end in divorce, but unfortunately, divorce happens. If you’re having marital problems and are faced with the reality of a broken marriage, you will need to make some very difficult decisions. One of those decisions may be whether or not to seek legal counsel for a divorce.

Seeking legal representation is not always necessary, but because divorce is a legal-matter, there are some key legal aspects that you should be aware of.

There are specific laws that will govern how your divorce is handled in the state of Utah. Experienced divorce attorneys will be familiar with those laws and rules, as well as the judges and commissioners who interpret those laws and rules, and can help you navigate the divorce process.

There are a few different ways to get divorced in Utah. The most common way is to file a divorce petition with the court. In order to do this, one of the spouses must have been a resident of Utah for at least three months. The divorce petition will state the grounds for divorce and ask the court to dissolve the marriage.

If both spouses agree on all of the terms of the divorce, they may be able to complete it without going to court. This is called an uncontested divorce. An attorney can provide the legal assistance to file the necessary paperwork and make sure that everything is done correctly.

If there are disagreements about some of the terms of the divorce, the divorce will be considered contested. In a contested divorce, the spouses will have to go to court and argue their case in front of a commissioner or judge. This can be a long and expensive process, and it is almost always best to seek legal representation if things start to get contentious.

If your legal team knows what they are doing, the first thing they will do is help you understand the laws and legal issues that will govern your divorce. Your lawyer will also help you negotiate any disputes with your spouse and advise you on the best way to resolve your case so you obtain the goals you’re looking for. If litigation is necessary, an attorney will represent you in court and make sure that your interests are protected.

We’ve Created a Free Guide Called the Utah Divorce FAQs.

This free guide will help to educate you about divorce in Utah, help you navigate the legal matters, and help you make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

Utah Divorce FAQs

This free guide will help to educate you about divorce in Utah, help you navigate the legal matters, and help you make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

Divorce Attorneys Utah

Our Proven-Process For Helping You Through A Divorce in Utah

Our Proven Process for Divorce

Divorce Attorneys Utah

Our Proven-Process For Helping You Through A Divorce in Utah

Our Proven Process for Divorce
Contact Us Today For A Confidential Case-Evaluation

Call us 24/7 at 801-685-9999 or click here to schedule a time for your legal consultation.

We are here to help you get on with your life!

Types of Divorce We Can Help You With

Our family law firm is devoted completely to divorce and family law matters. Here are some of the kinds of divorce cases we provide legal assistance for.

A contested divorce is when one or both spouses disagree with each other about how to deal with their divorce, for example, how to split assets, debts, alimony, child support, or custody. It might also mean that the other spouse is unwilling to sign paperwork to finalize the divorce.
An uncontested divorce is one in which everyone agrees on every issue, and spouses end their marriage without dispute. Divorce proceedings are uncontested when both parties agree on every details of their divorce.
The military’s divorce rate is higher than average for a couple reasons, for example: (1) the stress of moving every few years; and (2) deployments, which causes families to be separated for long periods of time. Military divorce requires specialized knowledge of military culture, as well as pension and pay issues.

In some situations, one spouse may be at fault for the breakdown of a relationship. At-fault divorce is how divorce attorneys and judges refer to any divorce where one or both partners have engaged in certain behaviors (e.g., adultery, abuse, abandonment) that cause divorce.

Also known as a “summary dissolution,” is a shortened version of the process that eliminates much of the paperwork and reduces the need for courtroom appearances. A summary divorce usually involves mediation or some other form of negotiated dispute resolution.
Utah is a no-fault divorce state. No-fault divorce is a form of divorce that does not require a spouse to file fault accusations against the other spouse. When we file no-fault divorces, we simply state that a marriage relationship is irretrievably broken because of irreconcilable differences.
Collaborative divorce refers to a type of divorce in which spouses negotiate the end of their marriage in a very open and transparent way. They can have divorce attorneys, and other legal professionals, help them during negotiation, but they cannot, for example, withhold information from each other, and they cannot go to court to resolve their case. Spouses must work with each other openly and come to an agreement on every issue.
Electronic divorce is a form of no-fault collaborative divorce, made available in certain jurisdictions when both parties are in agreement, which allows a couple to file for divorce with just an electronic request.
Divorce mediation is when spouses meet with a trained mediator, who is a third-party neutral, and that mediator both parties involved settle their divorce by coming to an agreement on every issue. Most mediated divorce cases never go to the Utah courts.
When You Need A Divorce Lawyer in Utah You Can Trust… We’re Here To Help You – Every Step Of The Way
When You Need A Divorce Lawyer in Utah You Can Trust… We’re Here To Help You – Every Step Of The Way

We’ve been helping people in Utah with divorce and family law since 2010, and in that time we’ve helped over 4000 people. What this means for you is that we’ve helped many people going through exactly what you’re going through, so we understand how to help you with your situation.

We’re here to answer all your questions, allay your fears and provide you with the best options for your individual situation.

Contact Us Today For A Confidential Case-Evaluation

Call us 24/7 at 801-685-9999 or click here to schedule a time for your legal consultation.

We are here to help you get on with your life!

Common Questions About Getting a Divorce in Utah

Hiring an attorney, whether in Salt Lake City or elsewhere in Utah, is not absolutely necessary. However, due to the complicated nature of Utah law and court system, it is often difficult for separating couples without legal experience or training in law to navigate the separation process without some degree of legal assistance.

Even for an uncontested divorce, it is advisable to retain a trial attorney for basic representation and assistance with legal documents, such as divorce forms, temporary orders, findings of fact and conclusions of law, and final decrees. Practicing law without an attorney, which is what you’re doing if you do your own divorce, poses a lot of potential pitfalls.

The general rule for asset and debt division in divorce is a 50-50 split. Utah is an equal distribution of the marital assets and debts state, so marital property and assets, along with debts, are not automatically divided 50-50 between spouses who are ending their marriage in the state of Utah. If one spouse can prove during the court proceedings that a 50-50 split would be highly unfair, the court can divide assets and debts differently.

When it comes to spousal support, incomes are not divided equally. The calculation to determine alimony is complicated and very fact dependent, and you should meet with an attorney to discuss what you may pay to, or receive from, your ex spouse.

Divorce proceedings in Utah generally takes from 3-6 months when an experienced attorney is representing at least one of the parties involved. In Salt Lake City, as opposed to more rural areas, the process often takes less time. Without help from divorce lawyers, and if custody of minor children is involved, the legal process will take more than 3-6 months because people don’t know the legal documents that need to be filed and legal procedure.

Familiarity with the process and how to facilitate an out of court settlement are some of the advantages of using an attorney to help you through Utah court proceedings.

Utah is a no-fault state. No-fault means neither party needs to be responsible for misconduct that caused the breakdown of the marriage.

The most common grounds for divorce cited in Utah a divorce petition are:

  • Irreconcilable differences
  • Domestic violence
  • Adultery/infidelity
  • Abandonment
Common Questions About Child Custody Issues in Utah

Common Questions About Child Custody Issues in Utah

Common Questions About Child Custody Issues in Utah
  • The parent likely to receive the most custody and parent-time with children is the one who has been the minor children’s primary caregiver. The primary caregiver is the one who spends the most time with the children, takes the children to medical appointments, attends teacher-parent conferences, puts the children to bed, drives them to school, takes them to extracurricular activities, etc.
  • The bottom line is this: the more involved you are in your kids’ lives, the more likely you are to receive joint custody, whether you have a contested or uncontested divorce.
  • Now, there are other factors, besides who is the primary parent, that sway a judge in determining custody when it comes time to sign a final decree. For example:
    • How bonded you are to your kids.
    • Your mental and physical capability to provide care for your kids.
    • Your history of drug or alcohol abuse.
    • How stable your living situation is.
    • Whether you can maintain a steady job and pay child support.
    • How much you encourage your kids to have a good relationship with your ex.

What we’ve discussed above relates to your final custody order in divorce proceedings. There are situations in which you may need to go to court and obtain temporary orders regarding custody and parent-time. When deciding temporary orders, courts value maintaining the status quo, which is how you’ve been sharing custody and visitation up to now.

Keep this advice in mind: fight for the custody and parent-time you want right upfront. It’s much harder to change custody after your judge has signed the divorce documents.

  • Joint Legal Custody: Legal custody refers to who gets to make big decisions for a couple’s children. Big decisions like: religion, medical decisions, money, education, extracurriculars. Joint custody means exes, whether separated or part of paternity actions, need to work together and come to an agreement on these big decisions.
  • Sole Legal Custody: Legal custody refers to who gets to make big decisions for a couple’s children. Big decisions like: religion, medical decisions, money, education, extracurriculars. Sole legal custody means one parent has been court ordered the authority to make decisions about children without any obligation to talk to the other parent.
  • Joint Physical Custody: Physical custody refers to where a child spends time, specifically where a child sleeps. Joint physical custody means each parent has a child at least 30% of the overnights in a year. 50/50 custody arrangements are joint physical custody. When joint physical custody is ordered in the final decree, it’s very difficult for one parent to move out of Utah and take a child with them.
  • Primary Physical Custody: Physical custody refers to where a child spends time, specifically where a child sleeps. Primary physical custody means a child spends less than 30% of overnights with one parent. For example, if a child stays overnight with one parent only 100 times per year, then the other parent has primary physical custody. When parents live far apart, or if one parent lives out of state, then one parent will almost always be awarded primary physical custody.
  • Split Custody: Split custody refers to when parents have more than one child, and one parent has primary physical custody of one of the children, and the other parent has primary physical custody of the other child.
There is no “most common” child custody arrangement. Custody and visitation depends on the facts of particular circumstances. Some factors that can affect custody and parent-time are:

  • Who is the primary parent? In other words: who has taken care of the child the most? The primary parent will often have more time with the children after finalization of custody.
  • Has there been domestic violence against a spouse/parent or child? The perpetrator of domestic violence will very often end up with far less custody and enjoy fewer parental rights.
  • Does a parent’s work schedule allow that parent to be with the kids? If a parent has a crazy work schedule (e.g. overnights, lots of extended travel), that might make it almost impossible to spend much time with the kids.
  • Has a parent gone through the adoption process? If someone has not legally adopted a child, that parent very likely has no legal right to custody or parent-time.
  • Has a parent refused to pay child support? If a parent refuses to pay child support, then it’s really difficult for that parent to successfully argue for much parent-time.
  • Is one parent addicted to drugs or alcohol? If one parent is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or has a serious history of drug or alcohol addiction, then that parent may pose a significant safety risk to the child.
  • How close do the parents live? The farther away parents live from each other, the less evenly they can share time with their kids.
What Clients Are Saying…
Brown Family Law
4.8
Based on 748 reviews
Anne-Greyson did a wonderful job in helping me with all my needs. She was always supportive and understanding no matter what the issue was.... Additionally she has been making an extra effort in researching and helping me find answers to complex questions. She acceded my expectations by going above and beyond, always trying to figure out the best solution to unexpected situations. I would highly recommend Anne, not only for her expertise in her field but also for her engaging and loving personality making it easier to feel supported and heard especially during a difficult time. Thank you Anne and the whole Brown Family Law Team for being so amazing and helpful!read more
I am grateful for the services that Clay Randle and his law clerk provided. The given communication, representation and work ethic is... creditable.read more
Jessica Peters
Jessica Peters
1710287478
I had an extremely pleasant experience working with Kent. He was able to help guide me through some difficult legal situations and and... fully answer my questions. Kent was funny, professional, and highly personable. Strong ethics, and very smart, exactly what I wanted in my attorney. If I need any further advice, he will be my first call.read more
Jared Johnstun
Jared Johnstun
1710200265
Anne Greyson-Long was very caring and compassionate about my marital problems and was actively engaged in insuring that I had a quick and... amicable resolution to my annulment. She is definitely a people person detail oriented who can resolve complex problems. I enjoyed working with her.read more
Doyle Asay
Doyle Asay
1710195469
Brown Family Law was wonderful to work with. They followed through with bi-weekly contacts and answered every question I had. I worked... directly with Andrew Christensen and felt like I was always a priority. I am giving Brown Family Law and Andrew a 5 star review. Thank you!read more
Evelyn Marse
Evelyn Marse
1710019028
Nathaniel is an excellent lawyer and I would definitely recommend working with him!
Andrea Jensen
Andrea Jensen
1709667558
I was represented by Amy Pomeroy in my case for child custody. I feel Amy went above and beyond with every step of my case. She was very... knowledgeable on every aspect and always knew what the next move was. She never failed to keep me updated with what was going on in my case. She was very personable and friendly. I really hope I never go through a custody case again but if I do, I will without a doubt hire Amy again.read more
Hunter Durein
Hunter Durein
1709662478
Nathaniel G. and his team were great. He was very patient and comforting with all my divorce trauma and needs. I went through heartbreak... and an unwanted divorce. He was there to defend me emotionally, financially and legally.read more
Karen Stolman
Karen Stolman
1709607200
Sunshine is great. She helped me out immediately and got me exactly what I needed in the most friendly and professional manner.
Devon Harris
Devon Harris
1709589080
I was very pleased with the service that I received from Paul Waldron and his paralegal, Idania Blandon, at Brown Family Law. Paul was... very considerate of my wishes in dealing with a very difficult situation . I found him to be very knowledgeable, experienced, and professional in. all aspects of my case. I appreciated that he and Idania were very good at returning my calls or responding to me by text or email within a day or two when I expressed concerns. Paul became a trusted individual that I felt truly had my best interest at heart and offered advice in a manner that helped me understand my options and possible outcomes. He was very considerate to answer all of my questions whenever we spoke.I liked the manner in which they did their billing and I received itemized statements each month also. I felt very fortunate to work with this great team of professionals and would highly recommend them to anyone dealing with a divorce.read more
Cindy Lawlor
Cindy Lawlor
1709364569
Divorce is an awful, stressful, and emotional experience, but working with Kent Cottam and his paralegal Dani has taken much of the stress... out of the divorce process and has made the process manageable. Both Dani and Kent have been available and very responsive to my needs. I highly recommend Kent and Dani at Brown Family Law for any and all of your complicated divorce needs.read more
I am so grateful for Anne-Greyson Long and the rest of the attorneys at Brown Family Law. They kept me informed, made the process as easy... as possible, and helped ease my mind throughout. I can’t thank Anne-Greyson enough for her kindness and willingness to get to know me. I felt like it really helped her know my case and had my back all along the way. Thank you thank you thank you! Definitely recommend them!read more
He did a great job. He was communicative and you could tell that he cared.
Anthony Roberts
Anthony Roberts
1709231528
Kent is my absolute go to! Not only did he get me what I wanted he went above and beyond in every step along the way. He made this process... incredibly easy and stress free. He is extremely knowledgeable and will not sugarcoat anything so it was very reassuring to know exactly what i was getting into. I put all my trust into him and boy did he deliver! Worth every penny for sure!! I 100% recommend his services to anyone a million times over!! Thank you so much Kent!read more
Jo E
Jo E
1708989462
Kent was my lawyer! Very professional, patient, and awesome with his words. Super good at translating the lawyer talk and making sure... you’re aware of everything goin on.read more
Kipp Edwards
Kipp Edwards
1708724533
Five stars every step of the way!!!
Robin Simmons
Robin Simmons
1708484724
I’ve had a great experience with this law firm! They are easy to work with and answer all my questions with confidence!
Abby Reyna
Abby Reyna
1708481795
I met with Daniel, he's awesome. I had plenty of concerns and questions and he answered all of them with full knowledge, without... hesitation. I feel very good with my choice.read more
Brown Family Law did an exceptional job handling my case. Daniel Young and Carren were always very professional. During times of stress... Daniel was always understanding of my situation, feelings and frustrations. He’s an excellent problem solver. I was always able to get in touch with him when I needed. If he happened to be busy at that moment Carren was always there to take my call/answer my questions and relay them to Daniel. I was always kept informed with what was happening and what the next steps would be. At times it would get confusing but Daniel and Carren were great at helping me understand and making sure I was comfortable with things moving forward. Both Daniel and Carren consistently checked in with me regarding my case every week and that let me know that I was being taken care of and not just another number. I will recommend Daniel and Carren to anyone who needs legal help. Trust them, they will get the job done!read more
makena Aleman
makena Aleman
1707410832
Amber is amazing, Melanie is a rockstar, and you couldn’t ask for a better support team. They’re worth every penny.
Rose Johnson
Rose Johnson
1707336334
Hello All. My case was a very difficult case. However, I had the best Firm, Brown Family Law, and the best lawyer, Ray Hingson. Ray... worked very hard and would contact me, regularly, with anything important. He respected and understood my views on any issue and, many times, we were on the same page. Ray is all about getting the job done quick and right. Ray consulted with other great lawyers, as they regularly do at this firm. He showed a lot of respect for my family and I; I appreciate that my case and situation was considered carefully.If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have chosen differently with Brown Law and I am so glad Ray took on my case. My case wasn't easy, but the best outcome, given the situation, came through. Thank you.read more
Ryan Astin
Ryan Astin
1707099016
Andrew Christensen, Clay Randle and their team were great to work with. They communicated with me throughout the process and looked out for... my interests. The office staff were also professional, caring and responsive. I highly recommend them for anyone else who finds themselves in need of family law services.read more
Beth Finlinson
Beth Finlinson
1706834334
Daniel Young was very helpful and informative during my consultation
Celeste Topps
Celeste Topps
1706629498
Ray is a phenomenal attorney! He cares, he listens and he fights for what’s right. I wouldn’t want anyone else on my case. I appreciate the... weekly updates from Carren and Ray and know I’m not forgotten or just another case.read more
Shannyn
Shannyn
1706154828
My experience with Dani was awesome. She is very responsive and easy to work with!
Lara Coronel
Lara Coronel
1706154635
I deal with a mental disability, so having someone like Sophia there to help me was a huge help.She answered all my questions and stayed... on the phone to help make sure I understood everything.She really helped make this stressful situation a little easierread more
Roy Bishop
Roy Bishop
1706132589
I have been RIDICULOUSLY IMPRESSED with the level of professionalism, attention to detail, and understanding of family law that Ray at... Brown Family Law has displayed during my case. He is honest, fair, and matter of fact. I feel like he truly cares about me as a person, not just as a client.And I can't say enough about his paralegal Carren. She is always consistent in keeping me in the loop with where my case is at, any documents I need to be aware of, and continually reaches out to see if I need anything. She is ALWAYS on it when it comes to submitting and filing needed paperwork and making sure everything looks as it's supposed to.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this amazing team, should you find yourself in need of a family lawyer.read more
Tyler Germer
Tyler Germer
1706055189
Grateful for an attorney friend who referred me to Brown Family Law. I had the pleasure of working with Daniel Young, attorney, and Carren... Leavitt, paralegal on the team. With the complex dynamics of family law, Daniel and Carren brought peace of mind, proactive communication, and accurate legal guidance. Daniel is understanding, empathetic and proactively advises his clients whilst collaborating well with other professionals in the family system.read more
I work with a family mediator and oversee the scheduling process. When I am in need of information regarding the case or their client,... Brown Law attorneys and staff are always helpful and respond quickly to my requests for information. They are organized and know their cases well which makes working with them seamless.read more
Barbara OBrien
Barbara OBrien
1705448340
They are completely the best people to help with your needs. Very grateful!
I work as a family mediator in Utah and have the pleasure of working with the staff and attorneys at Brown Law on a regular basis. My... experience is that the attorneys are always prepared, have prepared their clients, and know the case details. Most recently I worked with Andrew Christensen and Clay Randall and as usual they were prepared, knew the details of the case and we were able to settle the case at mediation. Successful mediation requires a give and take by both parties; Andrew and Clay were able to assist their client in moving through the process and coming to an agreement they feel good about with terms they agree with instead of a court telling them what to do.read more
Kathy Elton
Kathy Elton
1705433077
They really went above and beyond helping me with no hassle. I would like to give a special thanks to Sierra
I would highly recommend working with Brown Family Law. Kent Cottam was a pleasure to work with and very professional. As a team they were... very responsive, addressed our concerns, and were able to help us come to an agreement on a complicated case.read more
Mark Tarabilda
Mark Tarabilda
1705347376
We are so grateful to Kent Cottam and the team at Brown Family Law! Kent was very responsive, always addressed our concerns, and helped us... to come to an agreement in our custody battle. We always left his office feeling better about things than when we got there.read more
Danielle Wallace, lelani, their paralegals and all of brown family law have been amazing. The bond and trust we grew together these last... couple of months have been amazing a little family it you will. If I could give them more stars I would! Thank you for all that you all have done to help me in my situations and being an amazing team!read more
Brett Graham
Brett Graham
1705094581
Clay was absolutely amazing! Divorce is devastating, and Clay helped me navigate it with dignity and grace. I was married for over 20 years... when my world came crashing down. Clay listened and truly cared. When issues would arise he already had a game plan and was prepared. He helped protect me, and my kids. Clay had my back communicated with me every week and sometimes even more than that. He is an expert and it showed as he dealt with the opposing counsel who had over 3 decades of experience. Clay ran circles around them. Because of Brown Family Law and especially Clay, I was able to focus on me and my kids while he protected my interests and helped me navigate the divorce.read more
Jed Worthington
Jed Worthington
1705092538
I recommend them all the way!! Really quick responding and getting stuff done!
Tikvah Strain
Tikvah Strain
1705091105
Brown Family Law is the absolute best ! Andrew Christensen was our lawyer supervised by R. Clayton Randall they were amazing. We were... especially impressed with the knowledge, empathy, and professionalism provided to us by Mr. Christensen . He handled our complicated case with ease and grace. We are extremely grateful to him and the team at Brown Family Law they are truly worth every penny. I would hands down recommend them to anyone in need of a family law attorney!read more
Daniel was honest and direct. He was able to guide me in my custody concerns. If you were looking for an honest attorney, this is a place... to go.read more
Barbara Seui
Barbara Seui
1704828690
Danielle Wallace is my favorite attorney at this establishment
wolf man
wolf man
1703730264
Amber Mcfee at Brown Family Law was great to work with! She advocated, counseled thoroughly, was authentic and professional, responded... promptly to calls and emails, and supported me in every negotiation situation. I am very thankful Amber was my attorney through this entire ordeal. She doesn’t let anything intimidate her, she’s knowledgeable and ready to stand her ground when needed. She’s great at what she does! Thank you, Amber, for everything!read more
Nobody wants to go through this experience but these people definitely look for your best interest. Anne Greyson is new but she is an... aggressive lawyer and knows how to push. They set you up with an expectation and will try their best to work with you. If you're going through this, hire a lawyer. Go with Anne Greyson.read more
Forrest Hoggard
Forrest Hoggard
1703283429
Nathaniel Garrabrandt was very helpful answering all of my questions. Very professional and personable.
Tanya Higgins
Tanya Higgins
1703199730
Clay Randle is a great attorney who mixes business skills with a fair, compassionate nature. I recommend him highly as a person and as an... attorney.read more
They did a great job. Professional and thorough.
patrick corbett
patrick corbett
1703030072
Kent and Dani are amazing!
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Family Law Attorney

Marco Brown
Divorce attorney Marco Brown, founded the law offices of Brown Family Law in Salt Lake City, in 2010. In 2015, he was awarded Utah’s Outstanding Family Law Lawyer of the Year as voted on by the Utah Bar Association. He was the youngest attorney to ever win that honor.

Before I came to Utah and won divorce attorney of the year, I grew up in a small village in Alaska called Cold Bay. My grandmother was an educator and professor. Because of her example, I always knew he would get a Ph.D. or professional degree, like a JD or an MBA. Being a lawyer fit my personality and my desire to help people, so I decided to go to law school where I graduated with distinction.

After law school, I worked at a law firm doing personal injury work. I defended insurance companies in car accident cases, worker compensation cases, slip-and-fall cases, etc. It was a terrible experience, and I only worked there for eighteen months before I left and moved to Utah in 2010 so my wife could pursue her doctorate in vocal performance.

2010 was not a good year for attorneys. Large firms of all kinds were shutting down because of the Great Recession. It was in this environment that I decided to open up my own law firm. In the beginning, I did everything: criminal defense, personal injury, family law, business litigation.

I also took cases all over the state: Utah County, Salt Lake, Vernal, St. George, Moab, Logan. I did anything and everything, everywhere. It was a classic mistake attorneys make, being a jack of all trades and master of none. Quickly, though, I realized my calling was to help families with divorce and child custody cases, so I stopped doing everything else and focused on family law cases.

Leaving criminal defense and personal injury and focusing exclusively on divorce was the best decision I have ever made. Now my legal team and I have one of the most comprehensive systems in the U.S. for helping our clients through the divorce process.

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